Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Stabbing incident in Caye Caulker leaves one deathThe peaceful community of Caye Caulker is shaken over the stabbing death of a long-time resident. The victim has been identified as Leon Karim Gordon, resident of ‘La Isla Cariñosa’ for over 10 years after moving from Belize City. Police have detained two men who are believed to be connected to the deadly incident that occurred shortly after 8pm on Sunday, April 17th at a local beach bar. Initial reports from the police indicate that Gordon was stabbed in the abdomen when he tried to separate a fight between one Austin Gabourel and Jeremy Rhaburn. Another person, only known as ‘Robert’, then allegedly inflicted the mortal wound on Gordon.
Gabourel, along with his accomplice, then ran away in the direction of the area known as the Split. Gordon was transported to the local clinic on the island by family members, and later transported to the Belize Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where hours later, he succumbed to his injuries.
Gabourel, along with another male person ‘whose name has not been disclosed by police’ have been detained. During his arrest, Gabourel had a

Infusing taste buds with Caribbean Spice‘Sugar, Spice, and everything nice’ has allowed Chef Libby Storey to keep one of the best kept cuisine secrets in Belize. Originally from the state of Louisiana, USA, Libby worked at different restaurants in the Eastern Caribbean, even attending the University of Virgin Islands in St Thomas. Dishing out the all artificial additives and flavors, Caribbean Spice products are 100% Belizean-made, with a combination of fresh ingredients from Libby’s greenhouse and fresh produce from local farmers’ markets. She has now evolved her business from ten to over 100, all-natural, organic products. From habanero paste, fruit butters, spice blends, seasonings, sea salt blends, mustards, marinades, vinegars, salad dressings, barbeque sauces, michelada mix and gourmet cooking sauces, Caribbean Spice caters to all palates!
Libby’s hand crafted products are currently being sold at 12 Belize on Tarpon Street and The Greenhouse on Pescador Drive in San Pedro Town. As a business owner, she has encountered several stumbling blocks. “I have been to so many stores around Belize and the islands who just refused to carry my products. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for Evelia at the Greenhouse, she believed in me and carried every single one of my products,” said Libby.

Are new construction projects including parking space?Progress and development on Ambergris Caye is seeing major construction projects steadily going up in San Pedro Town. The large-scale developments have raised concerns, especially related to traffic and parking. With traffic being one of the top issues on La Isla Bonita, the question is, do these buildings allocate adequate parking spaces in their plans?
The San Pedro Sun spoke to Fidel Ancona from the Ambergris Caye Building Authority (ACBA). According to Ancona, allocating parking areas should be the number one requirement for any commercial building in Ambergris Caye. He also explained that strict construction guidelines must be adhered to, especially in the town core. “Any construction project must leave a space of five feet on two sides of the structure, with a minimum of ten feet at the back and eight feet for parking in front,” said Ancona. In an effort to clear the streets, similar regulations for onsite parking are enforced for residential buildings. With the construction of commercial buildings in downtown, and the traffic congestion and lack of adequate parking space, the ACBA is enforcing this regulation.

ACES constructs greenhouseAmbergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) has added a greenhouse to their school grounds. With the priority to become a child friendly school, greenhouse coordinator, Teacher Sarah Jean Freudenberg, believes it is important to teach children sustainable living. So far, the students have planted cilantro, basil, mint, parsley, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, marigolds and wild flowers.
Not only does the greenhouse fit in well with the curriculum of Belize, but it also teaches valuable life skills. It is important to plant and care for plants to learn those valuable skills. The hope is that children will become inspired and want to continue to grow fruits and vegetables all their lives. “I used to garden a lot in America, so it gives me an opportunity to share something I enjoy with the kids,” said Sarah.

Container full of garbage tips over!A large shipping container filled with garbage was reported to have turned over near the San Pedro Solid Waste Transfer Station in Southern Ambergris Caye. The incident left a massive pile of trash along the road; spilling into the mangroves and floating into the nearby water ways. The mountain of filth sat at the location for over a week before any action was taken to rectify the situation.
Several attempts were made to get the container on its wheels by using a 50-foot excavator, but to no avail. The next day a crane was brought in, and that did the job in a matter of minutes. However, the problem was not completely solved, as the garbage remained untouched. The San Pedro Sun reported the incident to the Hol Chan Marine Organization as well as the local municipal authorities at the San Pedro Town Council. Both committed to follow up on the issue and make the necessary reports after their investigations; but upon following up, the garbage remains where it fell.

Ambergris Today

Islanders Run/Walk 5K for Autism AwarenessAfter a very successful event last year, island residents came together once again for the second annual Autism Awareness 5K Run/Walk held by Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) that was held on Sunday, April 17, 2016.
Over 130 participants registered, bought T-shirts, raffle tickets and made donations towards the worthy cause which proceeds will benefit ACES Special Education Scholarships and help create awareness in the community for children with disabilities.
Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) is the first school on Ambergris Caye to substantially separate a special education classroom that caters to island children with special needs. The classroom directly impacts students with disabilities and assists ACES in its efforts to provide quality education in Ambergris Caye.

San Pedro Prepares for Biggest Lobster Fest at 10th AnniversaryIt was awarded Festival of the Year 2015 by the Belize Tourism Board for a reason; the San Pedro Lobster Festival has become one of the BIGGEST festivals in the country. This year it will consist of 11 days of day and night celebrations, all for the love of lobster.
Celebrating the lobster season in Belize does not get better in Belize and this year San Pedro commemorates the tenth year of the festival that has gotten global attention and only seems to be growing bigger each year.
The first festival was held in 2007 with a week of nightly events leading up to one epic block party. Over the past 10 years the festival has evolved into a 10 day festival filled with over 20 great activities and incredible lobster themed foods!
The activities kick off on June 15th with the opening party. There will be daytime and night time events leading up to the Lobster Fest Central Park Block Party on Saturday, June 25th, featuring the musical talents of the Pannerifix Steel Band!

San Pedro Town Council Seeks Advice and Solutions for Beach ErosionCaye Caulker just got its new beach and people are loving it, but while San Pedro, Ambergris Caye has benefited from beach reclamation from dreading projects in the past, erosion still proves to be an ongoing problem as development removes protective mangroves and adds unsightly seawalls. Evidence of long standing beach erosion is clear on most of the beaches in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye Belize.
And its these seawalls that Ms. Carianne Johnson from the Pan American Development Fund (PADF) indicates are major culprits of further erosion of our beaches. She, along with Mr. Keith Nichols from the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center (CCCCC) arrived on the island on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 to conduct a visual assessment of the erosion that is highly affecting our beaches. They were accompanied by Deputy Mayor Gary Greif who gave them a tour of the island.

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize Fishing report April 10th – April 16th, 2016Wow, the permit were happy this week (until they gat hooked that is) Over 16 permit were landed that I have record of, my guess is a few more were landed by some humble folks that did not report them for fear of seeming greedy!
The youngest of the permit masters was Walker at 11 years old, quite a feat for any age. Our permit couple of the week was Hobbie and Jenn as they landed 2 each, Jenn’s Dad Jack got a well deserved permit, Chuck had a single day out but landed 2 permit, Sam got 2, Jack added 3 more, Young Nick got his first permit, and Ron rounded out the group recording another permit. The permit fishing doesn’t get any better.

U.S. Citizen Town Hall Meeting - COROZALThe U.S. Embassy will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting for American Citizens on April 22nd
Friday, April 22 at 11 AM - 1 PM in Corozal at the Jam Rock Bar & Grill. If you are an American Citizen residing in Belize in this area please join us.

Poets Corner: ConsentBy Abdulmajeed K Nunez. Thirteen-year-old giving consent to four men is absurd
The mere title gets on my last nerve
Police charge two that’s the word
Looking for the next two speaks wonders
Belize does not have sufficient child protection laws for teenagers
Our children are not protected from predators
Human trafficker, pornographers,
There are no social media laws
Which almost makes child pornography a lost cause
Then we glorify the shit by printing it in our newspapers
They ought to be publicly flogged or dismembered
Our law is apparent
No child under age 14 can give consent
Where the hell were her parents?
They too need to be charged for being negligent
Taking her to the station is not sufficient
Newspapers are more concerned with sales than content
This seems to be the grim reality
That the men in our society
Have no policy
Fi di have sex with pickney

APAMO celebrates its 8th Annual General MeetingOn 16 April 2016, the umbrella organization, the Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations (APAMO), celebrated its 8th Annual General Meeting under the theme: "Coming together, sharing together, working together, succeeding together."
An important highlight of the meeting was the election of officers for its governing body, the Executive Council, and the newly elected chairperson is Mrs. Froyla Tzalam- Executive Director of Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM).
The network organization congratulated Ms. Tzalam in her new undertaking and committed to supporting her and the newly elected Council in serving its members and engaging Government in steering policies and strategies for the proper management of protected areas in Belize.

Belize Book Week 2016It's going to be a Belize Book Weekend here in Cayo. The opening ceremony will be Friday, at 9:00am, at Falcon Field. There will be a book fair on Saturday, also starting at 9:00am, at the San Ignacio Public Library. Everyone is welcome to come out. Reading is the key.

Assad Shoman Discusses the ICJAmbassador Assad Shoman visited Sacred Heart Junior College on Wednesday to explain the history of Belize's borders, treaties, and the need to go to the ICJ.
Trying not to use the term 'Guatemalan Claim' in this article since that gives it way more credit than it deserves. Let's just call it the Guatemalan Farce instead.
Mr. Shoman was clear and concise, and explained to everyone the reasoning behind the push to go to the ICJ. The borders have been observed for over 150 years now, and it appears that it's really only the Guatemalan government that uses the issue to garner votes from the misinformed and uneducated.

Paint Party EventsCome paint with us "Anchored in Belize" at Crazy Canucks. See you there!
Starts On: April 21, 2016 at 2:00 PM

Leon Gordon Murdered on Caye CaulkerOn 17th April, 2016 about 8:15pm Caye Caulker Police responded to a fight at SIP &DIP Liquor Establishment located on Avenida Hicaco, where Sharlene Young reported that her common-law husband Leon Gordon was stabbed to his abdomen. Initial investigation revealed that Leon went to separate a fight between one Austin Gabourel and Jeremy Rhaburn, when another male person only known as 'Robert' allegedly stabbed Leon. Austin along with his accomplices ran away in the direction of the Split. Leon was transported to the clinic by family members and later transferred to KHMH. Austin was located and detained and was observed to have a cut wound to his face and left little finger. He was treated and is now in police custody. At 2:45am on 18th April, 2016 Leon Gordon succumbed to his injuries. Police have since detained two male persons.

CLOSURE OF THE BELIZE ARCHIVES AND RECORDS SERVICE: MONDAY, APRIL 25th AND FRIDAY, 29th APRIL, 2016 The Belize Archives and Records Service will be closed on Monday, 25th April, 2016 from 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 PM. to officially inaugurate its renovated and expanded facility at 26/28 Unity Blvd.
In addition, the Department will be having its annual Staff Retreat on Friday, 29th April,2016. The Department will re-open on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. The Department regrets any inconveniences caused by these closures.
For more information kindly contact the Belize Archives and Records Service at Tel:822-2247 or 2097 or by email: info@archives.gov.bz

SACNW APRIL MEETINGOn Thursday, April 14, 2016, Mayor Daniel Guerrero and Councilors: Hector Alamilla, Gabriel Nuñez, Flora Ancona and Ruben Gonzalez attended the South Ambergris Neighborhood Watch’S monthly meeting. Also present, were Superintendent Sandra Bodden and other members of the San Pedro Police Formation.
The SACNW is one of the most active neighborhood watch groups in San Pedro.
Mayor Daniel was invited to share a few words, where he took the opportunity to congratulate the SACNW for their efforts in keeping their neighborhood safe and clean. Mayor Guerrero also went further on to mention that the south road will be getting a major upgrade and also the opening of junction from San Pablo leading to the San Pedrito area for all heavy machinery, as well as to help with the alleviation of traffic congestion.

MAYOR MEETS WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND HOTELIERSOn Thursday, April 14, 2016, Mayor Daniel Guerrero met with various stakeholders and hoteliers from Ambergris Caye to discuss the newly implemented regulations in regards to deliveries in town.
Mayor Daniel Guerrero emphasized that the new delivery schedule is still in its trial stage and observations are still being made in order to better the strategy being implemented. Mayor Guerrero closed his remarks by asking the present audience for their support and to give the new strategy an opportunity to work.
Majority of those present are in favor of the the strategy and believe it was a necessary action into the right direction into having a more safer San Pedro for our children, visitors and residents.

Basketball equipment refurbished at Boca Del Rio ParkThe Phoenix staff just installed two new basketball rims, refurbished the back boards, & repainted the supports at Boca Del Rio Park in San Pedro. In the background is the playground equipment we recently repainted. Big thanks to Blue Water Grill - San Pedro, Belize and Canary Cove, Ambergris Caye, Belize for all the help.
Now that he's retired maybe we can get Kobe Bryant down to Belize to test it out. We got just the spot for you to stay. What do you think Mamba?

Caramel Apple Pork ChopsPreheat oven to 175 degrees F (80 degrees C). Place a medium dish in the oven to warm.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brush chops lightly with oil and place in hot pan. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, or until done. Transfer to the warm dish, and keep warm in the preheated oven.
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, salt and pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add butter to skillet, and stir in brown sugar mixture and apples. Cover and cook until apples are just tender. Remove apples with a slotted spoon and arrange on top of chops. Keep warm in the preheated oven.

Surrounded by beauty, unable to see it? That’s life in ParadiseDuring a recent conversation with a photographer friend, Karen Brodie, we discussed the loss of the ability to see.
Not blindness. We were talking about the thing that happens when you pass something so many times that you simply stop seeing it.
This is a real thing.
Ask any mom who walks into her teenage child’s bedroom and thinks, “How can they not see these piles of filthy clothes all over the floor?” Trust me, even though they made those piles, their eyes do not register their existence — after a week or so.
This odd sort of selective sight affects all of us. It could be the beggar we pass every morning on the way to work. It could be a pile of garbage or a broken down car that has been on the side of the road for ages. It could be something magnificent we pass by every day, like the statue of David or the Eiffel Tower or the Statue of Liberty or . . . yes, even some of the more beautiful parts of Ambergris Caye.
This has begun to trouble me because after two years of living on this beautiful island I am beginning to fear that things that once filled me with wonder now leave me sort of cold. At least, the urge to photograph what I see has cooled quite a bit.

Meeting of the Maya Community Council in Livingston, GuatemalaFCD’s partner organization, Asociacion Balam successfully conducted its IV meeting of the Maya Community Council in Livingston, Guatemala. At this event participating members ratified the action plan to promote collaboration between the Maya communities of Belize and Guatemala.

Channel 7

"Gaza" Grieves, "Shiny" SlainIt was a deadly weekend in Belize - with three homicides, and six persons shot. Most of that violence is believed to have stemmed from the public slaying of a gang boss.
Word spread like wildfire from the south on Saturday night that one of the most well known gang figures in Belize, Gerald "Shiny" Tillett had been killed in Dangriga.
Shiny is the brother of Shelton Pinky Tillett - the former George Street leader - who was killed on Saturday April 21 of 2012. One-week short of three years later - older brother, 37 year old Gerald was slain in Dangriga, in what appears to be an execution style killing.
But, this one happened at a popular nightspot, and unleashed chaos in the heart of Dangriga town. Courtney Weatherburne went there today looking for answers:..

Was Kadeem Killed In Retaliation?Shortly after word reached the city that Shiny Tillett had been killed, three persons were shot, one of them fatally. He is 22 year old Kadeem Castillo who was gunned down on Madam Liz Crescent just after midnight on Saturday. Castillo was socializing near his home at 7761 Madam Liz, off Faber's road when a gray car pulled up, three men got out, and started firing in his direction. Castillo was with another person, but he was the only one who was caught by the spray of bullets; he ended up with four shots to the head and body.
So was this murder a direct retaliation? Senior Superintendent Alden Dawson told us today that although they cannot be one hundred percent certain at this time, they are looking at that possibility.
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson, Dep. OC, eastern Division South:
"Sometime after 12am on the 17th of April, police were called out to a location on Madam Liz Crescent where they saw the lifeless body of a young 22 year old man, Kadeem Castillo. A further check of the body revealed that he had two gunshot wounds to the chest and two to the head. Our investigation so far is that Castillo and another person was socializing on that street when a car drove up, 3 persons alighted the vehicle and fired several shots. Four of which caught the now deceased."

City Shootings Jumped Off Right After Shiny SlainNow although Castillo was the only person killed in the city after the Shiny slaying, as we said, two others were shot. Sometime around 9 pm on Saturday, 27 year old Justin Belgrave and 24 year old Venario Taka were shot in different locations. One incident occurred by Berger Field on Vernon Street and the other occurred on Glynn Street heading towards Euphrates Avenue. So with the pair of shooting happening just hours after the Dangriga execution of Shiny Tillett, were these related? Again the Deputy Southside Commander was cagey:
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson, Dep. OC, Eastern Division South
"Justin Belgrave, a 27 year old who was at a shop on Vernon Street, had heard shots being fired. He ran and later realized he got shot in his groin genital area."
Jules Vasquez:
"What time was that?"
Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson, Dep. OC, Eastern Division South:
"That was after 9."

Police Play Down Gang Warfare AngleSo three city shootings, one of them fatal, and south side police say they have no suspects. And while this happens, the possibility of an all-out gang warfare in the streets of Belize City hangs ominously. That's because a reputed gang boss has been killed - most likely a hit from a rival gang.
So, are police bracing for the possibilities of further outbursts of gang violence in the city?
Well, we know that on Sunday two things happened: the GSU and southside police stepped up their operations in known gang areas, and called in all the major gang players to a mediation meeting.
Here is what Sr. Superintendent Dawson told us.
Jules Vasquez:
"Sir, we know that you all have brought violence in the Southside, Mr. Williams recently read the figures, and they are down significantly. How can 3 shooting within 4 hours; one homicide, 2 shootings - how can those not be a direct consequence of what happen at 7pm in Dangriga Town?"

GSU Activated To Hold Down RetaliationOne of the police personalities leading the charge on this one is GSU Commander Mark Flowers. All indications are that the Dangriga murder, and the aftershocks in Belize City were gang related. That's why Flowers rolled out his GSU team on special operations starting at 9:00 on Sunday morning. And, in the afternoon, he was part of that mediation meeting with gang figures. Today in Belmopan he shed more light on the gang element and assured the public that the police are working to contain any further flare ups.
Courtney Weatherburne:
"Sir, in terms of the gang context could you say, based on your intelligence, if the alleged shooter is associated with the South Side gang?"
Supt. Mark Flowers, Commander, GSU:
"We know that he is a Dangriga resident who have lived in Belize City and who is also closely associated, that is a suspected shooter, with the South Side gang. We are still trying to put together the pieces. The investigators are out in Dangriga to establish his full unequivocal participation in that shooting. And I guess that from there the follow up, if there's a need to arrest and charge will take place. We know that he is associated with Belize City South Side gang."

Sip And Dip Stabbing Was FatalThe family of 29 year-old Caye Caulker Resident Leon Gordon is mourning his loss after he was fatally stabbed in a bar brawl at the Sip & Dip bar in Caye Caulker.
It happened last night at around 8:00. Gordon was trying to act as peacemaker when he was stabbed with a broken pint bottle.
He intervened after the bar owner and a patron got into a fight when the owner tried to throw the patron out for acting disorderly. Gordon reportedly tried to stop the fight, and that's when he was stabbed.
He was rushed from the Island to the KHMH, and his family told us that Doctors put him through two emergency surgeries to try and save his life. But, at around 2:45 this morning, during the second surgery, he died on the operating table.

Alleged Placencia Pedophile Shot In Driveway43 year-old David Richard Taylor, the British Belizean who was charged in December 2012 of extreme acts of pornographic exploitation of boys on the Placencia Peninsula, is at the KHMH recovering tonight. On Saturday night, he was shot at his home between miles 26 and 27 on the Phillip Goldson highway, in what police believe at this time is a robbery.
Today, the Officer commanding Ladyville Police briefed the press on what they know so far:
Inspector Juanito Cocom, OC, Ladyville Police:
"Ladyville CIB responded to a distress call at Mile 26 and 3/4 on Philip Goldson Highway, Biscayne Village. When they arrived, they observed in the living room of a concrete bungalow dwelling structure a clear descent male person with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to his chest area.."

Grijalva Guilty!The name of the Maya site Noh Mul burst into the national consciousness in 2013 when the media discovered that contractor Denny Grijalva's company De-Mars Construction was using the ancient ruin's limestone structure for quarry material for to pave village roads! It was a national and international outrage, and Grijlava, his wife and his foreman were charged for removing parts of an ancient monument, and causing the destruction of an ancient monument.
The case was tried by Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith and her written 16 page judgment was handed down today. She minced no words and found Grijalva's defense lacking. She concluded, quote, "The damage to the mound is irreversible as the excavation has resulted in only the core being left. The Court understands the outrage experienced by the professionals at 'NICH'..."

Father Of Teen That Cops Killed Is OutragedThe death of 18 year old Hilberto Sotz in police custody on Caye Caulker isn't easy to forget. It was a dark episode for the police department, and prompted a spontaneous riot in the village.
Police acted quickly and charged two of their own for murder; Detective Leonardo Nunez and Constable Hallet King. But last week Friday, Much to the dismay of Hilberto Sotz's family those charges were reduced to manslaughter. Today Hilberto's father visited our studios to express his discontent with the way the court proceedings have been going. He is upset because the charges were reduced, but more so because the directive came from the DPP. Here's what he told us today:

Shot Up In LadyvilleLadyville Police also have to investigate another shooting which happened early on Saturday morning.
Well-known food vendor Cynthia Lozano, who has made our newscast before, was at her home when someone came to her door and fired shots into it. Fortunately, no one was injured, but it left the family shaken.
Here's what police had to say about it today:
"The other shooting incident occurred on Sunday 16th, April at about 2:50am. Police visited Marage Road, Ladyville where one, Cynthia Lozano, 43 year old business woman of that address reported that she was at home when she heard a sound like someone kicking her door and thereafter she heard 3 gunshots. Police upon arriving at the scene observed 3 apparent bullet holes in the front of her residence. The front door in front of her residence, one to the wall and one to her kitchen cabinet. The scene was processed whereby 3 expended 9mms shells and 3 slugs were recovered. The complainant said at this time she had no suspects and the investigation is on."

Pilfering Postman Pleads Guilty31 year-old Sergio Patt, the former Manager of the Post Office's Express Mail Section, is in jail tonight he pleaded guilty to stealing almost 21 thousand dollars.
As we told you Patt is accused of embezzling the money between the months of October and November 2015. Police investigations show that Patt produced a bogus spread sheet to try to hide the shortages.
Well, he was arraigned today before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza, and he did not waste the court's time. He pled guilty to all 6 counts of theft, and he said that he stole the money because he wanted to help his mother who is sick with diabetes. He told the court that his wife has passed away, and he is the sole breadwinner for his 3 children.

Guatemalan Gold DiggersAfter a BDF soldier was shot on Holy Saturday in an apparent ambush by Guatemalan civilians, it put the whole country on notice that the Chiquibul Forest is more dangerous than ever.
But, the Guatemalan poachers, encroachers and lawbreakers persist, and on Saturday three of them were caught almost 5 miles within Belizean territory, near to one of the Ceibo Chico creeks in southern Chiquibul.
A joint patrol of BDF and the Friends for Conservation and Development found the trio with 390 grams, or almost a pound of weed and three empty vials - the types used for gold panning.
The three admitted knowing that they were inside Belizean territory, and one of them volunteered that this was the second time he was in the area and all the gold found in the Chiquibul is sold in the village of Monte Los Olivos at approximately $52.00 Belize dollars per gram.
He told the patrol that there could be as many as 40 persons in the area from several Guatemalan villages along the border. The trio reported seeing 10-15 gold panners leaving the area just as they were arriving.

Rural Weed In AbundanceLadyville police are reporting that they made several drug seizures over the weekend. The first is school bag containing marijuana a bus, and the other is package of marijuana that police found on 2 adults a minor.
The Officer Commanding Ladyville police shared the details with the media today:
Inspector Juanito Cocom, OC, Ladyville Police:
"We have two drugs seizures on Saturday 16th, April at about 1700 hours (5pm), the rural rapid response team removed a school bag containing four hundred and two point five grams of suspected cannabis off a public transportation. This occurred between miles 14 and 15 on the Philip Goldson Highway. The drugs was deposit as found property. Another drug seizure on Sunday 17th, April, 2pm, the relief personnel from Ladyville police on patrol interdicted 107.3 grams of suspected cannabis and subsequently charged 3 persons, a minor along with Darrell Franklyn, 36 years Belizean vendor and Rufino Hernandez, 28 years old. All of Lords Bank Village."

Fantasy Five Woman Nets Quarter Mil For City Woman18, 25, 20, 22, 19 . Those were the fantasy 5 numbers for Saturday. Now if you didn't win, these numbers mean nothing to you but city resident Judith Savory picked them individually, and they mean everything, because tonight she's more than a quarter million dollars richer. Today Savory went to collect her winning cheque, and she told the media how surprised she was when she found out she had won.
Savory collected $263,500 after taxes.

Strong Man ShowdownOver the Weekend the Belize Body Building Federation held its 5th annual Strongmen's competition. It has become a popular challenge and showcase which body builders and weight lifting enthusiasts train for year round. This year's competition had the participation of 13 competitors- 11 males and 2 females. Our cameras were out at BTL park on Sunday to catch all the action, all the trials, all the failures and all the successes of these heavy weight lifters as they went into "Beast Mode."
It was a very competitive event but in the end only one could be named the strongest man and the strongest woman. In the males category the gold went to Oyinkro Akobodor, known as "Power," snapping Victor Valencia's 3 year winning streak. Valencia was second this year, followed behind by James Jones in third place. In the females category Cricel Castillo came out on top followed by Chyna Alvarez. Castillo was also the only woman who participated in all male events.

Dr. Assad Makes Case For ICJOn Friday's newscast, we had extensive coverage of the launch of the Teachers Union Stand Up for Belize Education campaign.
But, the event went until the evening, and our team had to race back from Benque to get it in for the news - meaning that there's some stuff which we didn't manage to fit into Friday's news.
We showed you a portion of the presentation that Assad Shoman gave to the hundreds of teachers on the latest information relating to the Belize Guatemala Territorial Dispute. He also focused a quite a bit of his nearly 1 hour presentation on why he thinks that the ICJ is Belize's best option to settle the territorial dispute with Guatemala. Here's how he made the point based on over 40 years of research:

Assad Said "Artificial Border"As you saw in our Friday newscast, quite a number of teachers used the question and answer section of the forum to criticize Foreign Minister Elrington's perceived weak stance on the Guatemalan dispute.
We'll have a little more on that for you tonight, but first, here's Assad Shoman defending Elrington by publicly accept responsibility for the polarizing term, "artificial border". You will remember that Elrington had to deal with a firestorm of public criticism for using the term, but on Friday, Shoman told the teachers they should be upset with him, since he, Shoman, used the term first to describe Belize's border.
Here's his hearty disclaimer:
"Others complain, they say Mr. Elrington is the foreign minister and therefore we should not take the case to the ICJ. That makes no sense to me. He will not present the case in the court. We have a team of lawyers that we have identified. People criticized the minister because he spoke about artificial frontier. But I said that before he said that."

Assad: Time To Abandon Maritime AreasOne other issue that Shoman talked about with the teachers is the status of the Maritime Areas Act. According to Shoman, it was crafted with Belize only claiming 3 miles of it territorial seas with the condition that it would negotiate with Guatemala on its land borders.
Now that those negotiations have failed, and both countries are contemplating going to the ICJ, Shoman says the law is obsolete and needs to be repealed. Here's how he made the case that Belize needs to claim its 12 miles of territorial waters urgently:
Ambassador Assad Shoman - Opposition representative:
"Let's look at the Maritime Areas Act. Section 3 says; that the territorial sea of Belize comprises those areas of the sea having as their inner limits the baseline of the territorial sea and that the outer limits aligned measured up to 12 nautical miles from that baseline. But then subsection 2 says, that from the Sarstoon to the Ranguana instead of 12 miles, we limit that to 2 miles. When under international law we have a right to 12 miles. But section 2 says we will limit that to 3 miles. But then it also says "the purpose of that limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with the Republic of Guatemala.

Teachers Attack, Wilfred WincesSo, here's a little more from Elrington's public trial by from the teachers. As you saw, Shoman publicly shared his skepticism of Guatemalan Foreign Affairs Minister Carlos Raul Morales. Elrington on the other hand, has been criticized for what seems to be a cozy relationship with Morales.
One of the teachers asked Elrington publicly about that, and here's how he responded:
Teacher:
"If Honorable Assad Shoman in 42 years could not get the Guatemalans to be our friends, why is it today that Hon. Sedi Elrington is selling that idea to us?"
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs:
"The question of why I am trying to sell the friendship to Belize - I think it is all common sense that if you have a big powerful neighbor behind you, it is in your interest to be friendly with them. You can't be vigilant - you can't be awake for 24 hours a day and protect yourself. "

Channel 5

George Street Boss MurderedFear blanketed Belize City and Dangriga as the most violent weekend since the start of the year started to unfold. The murder of the reputed gang boss of George Street, [...]

Kadeem Castillo Gunned Down in the City“Shiny” Tillett’s murder triggered another and hours later, twenty-two year old Kadeem Castillo was gunned down in Belize City. His body was found on Madam Liz Crescent in the Faber’s [...]

Leon Gordon Killed While Parting FightIt won’t get as much attention as the weekend’s bloodshed and sensational murder of a notorious gang figure, but there was another killing on the island of Caye Caulker. It [...]

Trio of Guatemalans Detained in Ceibo ChicoWe’ll have more urban violence coming up, but deep inside the Chiquibul Forest, a trio of Guatemalans was detained after being found with a quantity of suspected cannabis in the [...]

Guatemalans Reject Belize’s Sarstoon ProtocolsThere is significant, though certainly not surprising information in respect of eleven proposals presented to Guatemala by Belize. News Five has received information indicating that Guatemala has responded to the [...]

Unidentified Gunmen Target Home in LadyvilleJust hours after that Ladyville Police were called out again for another shooting on Marage Road. According to reports, Ladyville businesswoman Cynthia Lozano told Police that at around three that [...]

A Look at Gang Movements Across DistrictsThe unimpeded movement of gang members across various parts of the country, including Dangriga, has raised serious concerns for residents, as well as law enforcement. It is well known that [...]

….Damages to Be Assessed in the MillionsNow that the Supreme Court has ruled that the violations did take place, the issue of quantum of damages will be dealt with. Young says that his client will certainly [...]

Froyla Tzalam, the New Chair of APAMOThere is a new chairperson to APAMO, the Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations. Over the weekend, Froyla T’zalam was elected to head the umbrella organization of NGOs. Tzalam is [...]

Sotz Family Send Out a Plea for JusticeSotz killing prompted riots on Caye Caulker and the family believes that the wheels of justice are not turning. The two cops were also granted bail of two thousand dollars [...]

CTV3

Osmar Sabido Sentencing Adjourned
Many of you may be aware of the case of Christie Carrasco, a young mother who was stabbed to death over five years ago in what many believed to be case of domestic abuse as her then boyfriend was indicted for her murder. Just one month ago the case against Osmar Sabido, who was Carrasco’s boyfriend at the time of her death commenced, where he claimed self-defense. The case against Sabido concluded on the 23rd of March and a verdict was to be handed down today, the 18th of April but the family and friends of Christie received the news that the ruling was moved to a later date. Today when we spoke to Mark Chavaria, uncle of Christie Carrasco, he told us that the entire family is ready to receive closure on the death of their loved one and although the family is hoping for a guilty verdict, Chavaria told us that they are leaving it all up to the law.

Resident Of San Jose Village Concerned About Constant Altercation
A dispute between two rival groups in the village of San Jose in the Orange Walk District has been causing havoc with the residents. According to residents, the problem, which has been ongoing for several months, is between the owner of one of the local stores in the village and a group of local boys. Today we spoke to one of the residents of the area, Feliciana Pot, who told us that the problem is getting out of control and she is afraid to step out of her front door in fear that a brawl might break out and she might get injured in the process.
Feliciana Pot- Villager:
“El problema es que el Chino que vive aquí enfrente tiene problemas con un grupo de muchachos pero yo no estoy a favor de ellos ni del otro, mi problema mío es de que cuando ellos tienen problema aquí me quiebran mucha botella, me tirotean la casa con piedras y yo no tengo problemas con nadie yo quiero ver si la policía o el jefe de policía haga algo porque esto no puede seguir pasando. Yo quiero como aldeana que soy y como vecino yo soy la más afectada y yo quiero que este problema la ley lo tome enserio y que tiene que para porque no pueden permitir esto porque después va a ver muerte como al igual vaya quedando como Belice pero lo que dice el inspector dice que tiene que morir alguien para que este problema se termine y yo pienso que ellos deben de evitar esto, es mejor prevenir que lamentar.”

CFZ Security Guard Reportedly Attacked While On Duty
A security guard is lucky to be alive tonight after it is believed he foiled a robbery in the Corozal Commercial Free Zone. While the information reaching our newsroom has not been confirmed by police or the management of the Free Zone since they are both being tight lipped, reliable sources say that the security guard was doing his rounds at the zone when he observed two persons acting suspiciously. The men were seen in the back area of one of the major stores in the free zone. We understand that the security guard radioed his head station for assistance.
But before help arrived the security guard was approached by the two individuals. Right after two more men joined them and that is when the security guard was attacked and stabbed on the left shoulder.

Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season Forecast 2016
The Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season forecast for 2016 has been issued by the Colorado State University with the aim of informing the general public of how active the upcoming hurricane season is expected to be. The forecasts are based on global oceanic and atmospheric conditions that were observed in the past years and provide meaningful information concerning similar trends or patterns of hurricane seasons that are likely to occur in the upcoming seasons.
In the report, it stated that for this year, it calls for a total of twelve named storms, five hurricanes and two major hurricanes. The Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season will have an average level of hurricane activity and according to the forecasters, it is anticipated that the El Niño will change into either neutral of La Niña conditions when the hurricane season is at its peak.
When it comes to Belize, the figures show that there is a 33 percent chance that one or more storms will hit approximately fifty miles away from the country with only a 6 percent chance of a major hurricane approaching nearby. The report also makes mention that there is a thirty nine percent possibility that a named storm will enter Belize at approximately one hundred miles away resulting in an eighteen percent chance that a hurricane can hit that close.

Baird's Tapir Knocked Down At Phillip Goldson Highway
Over the weekend we received a report concerning a Baird’s tapir that was knocked down on miles eighty nine and ninety on the Philip Goldson Highway. Due to the fact that the tapir is considered as Belize’s national animal, it raised many concerns and raging feedback from many Belizeans as the animal was found near some bushes partially mutilated. When we spoke earlier this evening with the Wildlife Program Officer from the Belize Forest Department, he told us about the incident.
Edgar Correa – Wildlife Program Officer, Forestry:
“Yesterday morning I received a message through and informed me that a tapir was knocked down close to the border immediately I contacted our partners at the zoo to see if they can assist us in the removal, nevertheless, due to the area the zoo was able to reach here but in the evening and by the time the zoo member arrived by the location and the tapir was within the area which seems to have been slaughtered meaning that someone on the area by the vicinity removed the four leg from the tapir.”

Three Detained For Drug Offences
As the Orange Walk Police Formation continues to carry out their routine patrols here in the north in an effort to combat criminal activities, they were able to make a number of arrests over the weekend.
On Saturday at about 10:20 p.m. authorities visited the home of Carlos Smith and Erlinda Sanchez with the intention of conducting a search at the residence. The search resulted in the discovery of a red plastic container that was hidden in the sofa which contained two marijuana plants. Both Smith and Sanchez were charged with ‘Cultivation of drugs’ and ‘Possession of Controlled Drugs’.

Another Firearm Confiscated By Orange Walk Police
Members of the Orange Walk Police Formation conducted several patrols and searches in different areas throughout the Orange Walk District over the weekend which resulted in the confiscation of two firearms. Since no one was in the area at the time of the discovery, the weapons were taken into police custody.
Selvin Tillett – Superintendent of Police:
“On Friday the 15th at 6:45pm Orange Walk Police conducted a search in an open lot at Savannah Street and upon moving a piece of log located on the western side of the log a black piece of cloth was found, inside the cloth was a chrome in color Tyrus .45 ACP caliber s/n R001649 along with an extended magazine containing no rounds while the search was conducted no one was in the immediate area, the firearm was taken to the Orange Walk police station and labelled as found property.”

LOVE FM

City Goes on Lockdown Following Gang Leader’s MurderThe news of the murder of Gerald ‘Shiny’ Tillett spread around the country late Saturday night and led the police to be on high alert for the chance of any possible retaliation. The hours that would follow Tillett’s murder had the authorities in the old capital, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, taking […]

Peacemaker Dies in Caye Caulker Bar29-year-old, Leon Gordon is dead following an altercation at a bar establishment in Caye Caulker Village, Belize District. The circumstances that led to the fatal stabbing are yet to be ascertained but reports reaching Love News are that the confrontation involved two men from Belize City known to be gang affiliates. The incident occurred at […]

Gunshots Break Silence in Biscayne Village; one man injuredThere were two separate shootings that occurred in Rural Belize Distict over the weekend. The first one occurred in Biscayne Village at miles 26 ¾ miles on the Phillip Goldson Highway. The victim was thirty four year old David Richard Taylor. Taylor reported to police that an unknown vehicle came into his yard and open […]

Marage Road Shooting Leaves Woman TraumatizedThe second shooting occurred on Marage Road in Ladyville. It occurred at the home of forty six year old Cynthia Lozano at around 2:50 on Saturday morning Lozano told Police she heard someone at the door and minutes later she heard several gunshots. Inspector Juanito Cocom Officer in Command of Ladyville Precinct gave the media […]

Trio of Guatemalans Detained for Several OffencesThree Guatemalans have been captured in the southern part of the Chiquibul Forest through Joint Forces Unit located at the Ceibo Chico Conservation Post. On Saturday April 16, the three men were found in jungle camps near one of the Ceibo Chico creeks. At the camp Joint Forces personnel found several plastic bags containing what […]

EMS’ Manager Steals to Provide for FamilyThirty-one year old Sergio Patt, the former manager of the Express Mail section of Belize Postal Service, charged with six counts of theft of money amounting to twenty thousand six hundred and ten dollars pled guilty to the charges when he appeared today before Magistrate, Carlon Mendoza. Patt said he stole the money because he […]

Froyla Now Chairs APAMOFroyla Tzalam, the Executive Director of the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management, SATIIM has been elected as the Chairperson of Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations, APAMO. This past weekend, APAMO held its eight annual general meeting under the theme, “Coming together, sharing together, working together, succeeding together. Guest speaker was the Chief Executive […]

Beyond the Title of Gang Leader; Impact of Shiney’s DeathWith Gerald ‘Shiny’ Tillett dead, friends and family are in mourning, citizens are on alert and police officers have amped their patrols, checkpoints and preventative measures. Dianne Finnegan who works with the Youth Apprenticeship Program spoke to Love News on the impact of Tillett’s death. DIANNE FINNEGAN “I think it’s the 20th that Pinky had […]

Nurse Wins 1/4 Million in Fantasy 5 LotteryA nurse at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital collected two hundred and sixty three thousand dollars this morning after she had purchased the winning Fantasy 5 lottery ticket. Judith Savery was at work when her husband called her with the good news. JUDITH SAVERY “I bought my ticket in my neighborhood. They are special numbers […]

Lottery Machine to Be Assessed for GlitchesSunday, April 4 saw the avid Boledo buyers quite upset after a malfunction occurred with the ping pong machine. Today, we got a first-hand look at that very same machine and were given a demonstration of how it works. The balls are popped up to its cylinder via compressed air and so the only job […]

PlusTV

BNTU Campaign “Stand Up For Belize”Thousands of teachers converged on the border town of Benque Viejo on Firiday 15 April to discuss the Belize Guatemala referendum. On this day, the Belize National Teachers Union launched their “Stand Up for Belize” campaign. The two main speakers were Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington a...

Policemen’s charges in Hilberto Sotz case reducedBack in June 2016, police had initially charged two of their own officers posted on Caye Caulker with murder, for allegedly beating 18 year old Hilberto Sotz to death while in their custody. Today, after 10 months on remand for murder, a directive from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutio...

Accused in alleged murder conspiracy allowed to leave countryKorean national businesswoman, Hyang Chong Park, who was granted Supreme Court bail in the sum of $75,000 with stringent conditions after being charged in the plot to kill four persons in Belize, allegedly masterminded by Bradley Paumen, successfully applied to the Supreme Court on Thursday for perm...

Accused teenage murderer to stand trial40 year old Edward Usher of Mayflower Street was shot dead on his doorsteps in broad daylight a year ago this week. The young man accused of pulling the trigger, Percival Pilgrim, will now stand trial for that murder after a preliminary inquiry concluded today. Without challenge, Senior Magistrate S...

More land complaints from Valley of Peace residentsOver 22 families met at the village community center in Valley of Peace today. The meeting was arranged by a village councilor and the chairman of the village lots committee to address some of the land issues the residents have been dealing with in that community. The current land dispute is over s...

$2 million to clean up silting at Haulover CreekWe have reported on the silting near the Bliss Center on Southern Foreshore, which affects both fishermen and the water taxi companies which make their living in that area. On Wednesday, Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley said that all relevant agencies of Government – from the Port Authority to NICH...

Burglar made off with gun and jewelryWe reported on Monday about the aggravated burglary which occurred at a home in Camalote Village. Police have today issued an official report on the matter saying that the owner of the home , while he was at his ranch on the Hummingbird Highway, received a call from his maid, who reported that she ...

Over $20,000 disappears from Post OfficeBelize City police are seeking a Post Office cashier as they investigate the disappearance of over twenty thousand dollars. On February 24, a supervisor of Belize Postal Service reported that sometime between the months of July and December 2015; $20,610.00 were stolen from the Post Office Express M...

Georgeville man dead; was it an accident?Yesterday, according to a police report, 53 year old Earl Tillett died as a result of a gunshot injury to his jaw which he sustained as he tripped and fell and accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting himself in the jaw. According to a police report issued today, police were alerted to the inciden...

The Reporter

Shiny murdered in Griga!George Street gang leader, Gerald “Shiny” Tillett was shot dead at around 7:00 on Saturday night in Dangriga. The incident happened as Tillett and a group of men socialized at Wadani’s Shed on Saint Vincent Street.
Three other persons were shot, as well as Tillett’s alleged murderer, Nicholas Swazo. Police say when Swazo opened fire and struck Tillett; David Rodriguez, 46; and Carlos Sharp, 37; another man, whose identity is being protected, pulled out his licensed firearm and shot Swazo.
Tillett suffered a bullet wound to his temple, while Rodriguez, a businessman of Magoon Street, Dangriga, was struck to the center of the chest. He is in a critical condition. Sharp, a manager of Pomona, Stann Creek District, also suffered a gunshot wound to the chest, but he was treated and released.
Swaso, who was shot to the upper right and lower left side of the back, is in a stable condition under police guard in the Western Regional Hospital. Police say he will be charged with Tillett’s murder and with the attempted murder of Rodriguez and Sharp as soon as he is released from the hospital. Police say Swazo, originally from Dangriga, moved to Belize City a couple years ago but continued to frequent Dangriga.

Breaking Belize News

Ex-postal manager pleads guilty to theft charges
San Jose, Orange Walk resident 31 year old Sergio Patt, the former manager of the Express Mail section of Belize Postal Service, was sent to jail this morning after pleading guilty to stealing from his former employers. Charged with 6 counts of theft of money amounting […]

Two shootings in Ladyville leaves one injured
Businesswoman of Marage Road in Ladyville Village, Cynthia Lozano, reported to police that on Saturday morning around 2:50, she was sleeping when she heard loud noises coming from the front door of her house. Lozano said the noises sounded like someone was kicking down […]

Boat engine stolen in Placencia
A Placencia Village fisherman, Leopold Leslie, 48, reported to police yesterday afternoon that his 60 horse power boat engine had been stolen. The Yamaha brand engine valued at $12,625, was stolen off Leslie’s 23 foot skiff which was docked near the Municipal Pier. Police […]

Duo to be charged for weed found in SUV
Two persons are pending charges after being detained on Friday morning for cannabis found inside an SUV they were traveling in. At around 5:50 a.m., a grey SUV going in the direction of Belize City from Orange Walk, was stopped and searched by police […]

Police take gun and drugs off the street in weekend searches
Police searches in four municipalities over the weekend, yielded a total of 2.5 pounds of cannabis, 4.9 grams of powdered cocaine, 5.6 grams of crack and a firearm, which were all deposited as ‘found property’. On Friday night in Orange Walk, police searched an […]

Violence erupts with two murders and a string of weekend shootings
It was a bloody weekend in Belize City, triggered by the murder of George Street gang leader, Gerald “Shiney” Tillet, on Saturday night in Dangriga. Following Tillet’s murder there were a string of shootings across Belize City, one of which resulted in the death […]

Briceno shaking up and shaking out the Old GuardSince taking over as the leader of the People’s United Party (PUP) a little over two months ago, John Briceno has set out to ensure things don’t end for him the way it did in his first stint as leader. Briceno took over a fractured party, consumed with dissent and dysfunction. Over the last few weeks, though, Briceno has set down a path that could either consolidate the PUP’s affairs or send it even deeper into the political abyss it has found itself in since 2008. Briceno has decided that in order for the PUP to move forward he needs to shake things up and shake out the old guard.

Sunday Funday at the Truck Stop, Ambergris CayeSunday afternoon on Ambergris Caye. A little music, some food and a giant waffle cone of delicious ice cream, lots of friends and more. The Truck Stop is where it’s at. PLUS, “Sunday Funday at the Truck Stop” is a title so perfect when set to the tune of 1975’s disco classic (others might say train wreck) “Car Wash”.
It was the perfect day for ice cream AND the new misting stations! Hot and humid coming over the bridge north to Truck Stop.
I arrived just as the pig was coming off the spit.
And the Cornhole tournament was about to start. Sign-up begins at 1:30pm on Sundays and there are prizes for winning (like First place = $100 bar tab) and for the grooviest team name.

Belize Tourism Trending According to Latest FiguresNew data published by the Belize Tourism Board show that the country is becoming more popular than ever for foreign visitors. Tourist visits in January 2016 were up 24% year-over-year while February saw an 18.4% increase over the year before. The first two months of 2016 set a new record with more than 75,000 tourist visits, the highest number ever reported for that period.
March 2016 continued these impressive gains with more than 43,000 visitors in that month alone, a more than 10% increase year-over-year and a new record for the month. The 43,065 visitors in March is the highest number of air travelers to visit the country in a single month.

Pool Project: Week FiveMost of the activity this week can be summed up in one word: rendering. This is the process of putting a smooth, final coat of cement on the walls, beams, and columns.
This process is slow going and requires a deft hand to make the cement as smooth as possible. In a way, it's almost an art form. Fortunately for us, the three or four guys on the crew that are doing this work are masters.
In this shot, you can see the final coat on the column and the rough coat on the wall that still needs to be smoothed.
This is the north facing wall of our new hallway. Rendering is done on the exterior; the interior awaits. After that, the glass block will be installed in the opening you see.

International Sources

US releases 2015 human rights reportOn Wednesday, the US State Department released its 2015 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which include a number of countries in the Caribbean region.
Speaking to reporters Secretary of State John Kerry emphasised that the human rights standards referred to the reports are universal standards. On Belize, the most important human rights abuses included the use of excessive force by security forces (especially the police), lengthy pretrial detention, and harassment and threats based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Other human rights problems included corruption by officials, domestic violence, discrimination against women, sexual abuse of children, trafficking in persons, and child labour.
The government occasionally ignored reports of police abuses, delayed action, failed to take disciplinary action, or transferred accused officers to other areas within their department.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government did not implement the law effectively, and officials sometimes engaged in corrupt practices. The World Bank’s worldwide governance indicators reflected that corruption continued to be a problem.

Go Adventuring in Ambergris CayeJust a ten-minute flight from the capital, with lush wilderness and serene lodges, Belize’s largest island feels a world away.
There are plenty of hidden gems among restaurants in the area: For lunch, Caprice does a fabulous Belizean fish soup called Cha Chac. If you’re looking to hear some local music, go to Black and White Bar for some Garifuna drumming and the hudut (a local Garifuna fish soup).
For a day trip, Caye Caulker is the best nearby island to visit. You can get to it easily by boat (about 25 minutes) or Tropic Air (it’s a five-minute flight!). It's how San Pedro used to be: sandy streets and a really laid-back atmosphere.
My favorite snorkeling spot is just off the barrier reef at Tranquility Bay Resort. The water is super-clear, and it’s never crowded. Eels, sea urchins, and lobsters all congregate here.

Guyana preparing to ban Styrofoam in 2016If all goes according to plan, it will be illegal to import or use Styrofoam, popularly used in the food service industry, from the beginning of next year.
In its thrust to promote a green economy and environment, government is moving ahead with plans to ban the importation and use of closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam from January 1, 2016.
The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment has begun implementing a series of measures to address waste management and to promote the utilisation of biodegradable materials. The proposed Expanded Polystyrene Ban Regulation is being finalized before the effective date to ensure the ban is legally reinforced.

5 dead as historic, 20-inch rain swamps Houston areaDrenching rain, which brought flash floods to much of eastern and southern Texas on Sunday and Monday, deluged Houston, killing five and leading to scores of water rescues.
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said two people died in a vehicle that ignored barricades at a freeway underpass. He said traffic cameras recorded the vehicle going around the blockade and head into the water. The vehicle didn’t make it through.
Two deaths reported earlier Monday included one man found inside a truck that that drove into high water on a freeway service road.
Harris County Precinct Sgt. Herbert Martinez says crews monitoring the high water on the road saw the man in the 18-wheeler truck drive directly into the water. He says it’s possible the driver may have suffered some kind of medical emergency.

Houston's flood of biblical proportions, in photosHeavy rains, nearing 2 feet in some places, swamped the Houston, Texas metro area, causing significant flooding and forcing evacuations.
By 10:30 a.m. local time on Monday morning, the city of Houston had requested disaster declaration.
As flood waters have covered roadways and more than 1,000 homes have reportedly flooded, authorities have responded to more than 1,200 flooding emergency — and that number is rising along with the flood waters.

Finding the skeletons deep within the Belize caveHOW the Mayans got huge clay pots into the depths of a cave without damaging them is one of life's mysteries - not unlike the Nazca lines or Stonehenge.
I mean, it's not like they had bubble wrap to protect them.
Yet they managed to get these pots through seemingly impossible gaps to get to a ceremonial site where they would help their loved ones move from the underworld to the heavens.
A cracked pot was no good - the gods would not have been pleased.
Actun Tunichil Muknal is just outside San Ignacio in Belize.
When it's 38C and the humidity is through the roof, doesn't a cave sound like the perfect antidote?
But it's not for the faint-hearted. More than a dozen skeletons, believed to be sacrifices to the gods, have been discovered there, with at least six visible during the tour.
Both adults and children died in this cave with pots used to create smoke and steam to help provide safe passage for their spirits from the underworld to the heavens.

CDC issues travel notice for Belize due to ZikaThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice for Belize after recent reports of local transmission of Zika virus in the Central American country. Local mosquito transmission means that mosquitoes in the area are infected with Zika virus and are spreading it to people.
Travelers to areas with cases of Zika virus infection are at risk of being infected with the Zika virus. Mosquitoes that spread Zika are aggressive daytime biters. They also bite at night. There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika virus. The best way to avoid Zika virus infection is to prevent mosquito bites.

New set up for Jazz Fest 2016 in New OrleansThe countdown is on to the start of Jazz Fest 2016. FOX 8 checked in at the Fair Grounds to see what's new this year. Earth movers, cherry pickers and ATV's help build the magical city that comes to life at the Fair Grounds. Quint Davis said, ‘Hey it's Jazz Fest.” The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Producer is excited that it continues growing and getting better. He said, “There's really something for everyone at the highest level.”
He's especially excited about the growing cultural exchange area. “Almost any Caribbean nation relates to New Orleans," Davis said. "They have carnival, they have rhythm, they have parades. So this year it's Belize that's featured.”
Also this year are special tributes honor Allen Toussaint and B.B. King. “We're facing some major losses this year to our family," Davis said. "B.B. is in a portrait now on the outside of the Blues tent and there will be a jazz funeral here for Allen on Saturday the 23rd.

EU contributes Euro14 million to catastrophe risk insurance for Caribbean and Central AmericaThe European Commission and the World Bank on Friday signed a Euro 14 million agreement to be executed by the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) to facilitate access to low cost, high quality catastrophe risk insurance for the governments of Central American countries and the Dominican Republic. This contribution will support these countries become formal members of CCRIF SPC, formerly the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, a multi-country program that allows its current 17 members to pool risk and access disaster insurance coverage at low cost, and better manage and finance disaster risk.
Friday’s agreement was signed by Neven Mimica, European Union commissioner for international cooperation and development, and Jorge Familiar, World Bank vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean. Milo Pearson, chairman of CCRIF SPC. Ivan Acosta, minister of finance and public credit of Nicaragua, and Wilfredo Cerrato, finance secretary of Honduras, also participated in the signing ceremony.

Cuba to host Caribbean summitThe seventh summit of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) will take place on June 4 in the Cuban capital of Havana, said the organization’s secretary general Alfonso Munera.
Munera, who paid a working visit to Cuba last Wednesday, met with Cuba’s first deputy foreign minister Marcelino Medina on the drafting of documents for the summit.
The two officials addressed the performance of the ACS and the role of Cuba while chairing the Association´s Council of Ministers, according to the Cuban foreign ministry.

The Beer Diaries World Tour: Belize - The Maya, 16min. The Beer Diaries is proud to present The Beer Diaries World Tour: Belize, a series dedicated to using beer as an introduction to history, culture and the geo-political state of countries around the world.
In this episode, host Mike Mann and his team visit the Maya ruins, Xunantunich and Cahel Pech, in the heart of San Ignacio. Andy Bahadurs, Maya expert, explains the prominence and decline of these sites, along with the significance of the various ceremonies of the people who lived there.

BPP'S PATRICK ROGERS DISCUSSES THE ICJ, COMPROMIS & GUATEMALA'S CLAIM TO BELIZE (PT. 1), 31min. The featured interview here on Belizean Legends highlights the work of the Belize Progressive Party's (BPP) political leader, Patrick Rogers, who has emerged today as a progressive voice on the Belize political scene after many years as an activist for many Belizean causes on the ground in Belize. Rogers, who is also an astute Belizean historian with credible historical facts to drive home his political views on the Belize / Guatemalan Dispute, spoke with Belizean Legends producer and host, Bilall Morris, about the insidious and treacherous Compromis signed by the Belize and Guatemalan governments in December of 2008, without the consent of the Belizean people, to take the aged old Belize / Guatemalan Dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).